Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Health and Wellness

Gerber's New Spokesbaby Is Tackling Down Syndrome One Smile At A Time

I mean seriously, look at that grin! How could you not pick him?

Megan Coltharp

Feb 08, 2018

Texas A&M University

494

Gerber's New Spokesbaby Is Tackling Down Syndrome One Smile At A Time

YouTube

My entire life, the Gerber baby has been exactly that - the Gerber baby. The same black and white sketch has filled their marketing advertisement, their labels, and our grocery stores.

How many of you knew that the original Gerber baby that we all know and love recently celebrated her 91st birthday? Crazy!

I have never been proud of Gerber, personally, as it really has made no direct impact on my life who the Gerber baby is. I'm sure a lot of us feel that way.

Well, I think it is the time that we take some pride in Gerber.

There have been numerous baby photo contests hosted by Gerber over the years, honestly, we don't even get reports about most of the winners.

This year - something special happened.

Gerber announced for the first time in its history that the baby photo contests winner was Lucas, a baby diagnosed with down syndrome.

When asked about their winner, Gerber stated:

Lucas' winning smile and joyful expressison won our hearts this year, and we are all thrilled to name him our 2018 Spokesbaby. Every year, we choose the baby who best exemplifies Gerber's longstanding heritage of recognizing that every baby is a Gerber baby, and this year, Lucas is the perfect fit."

I have grown up in a family that has gotten to love and experience how special children with special needs truly are. Due to it being so normal in my family, I never really stopped to think about how little they are portrayed in commercials, advertising, and in simple day to day life.

Gerber has been around for decades now. Decades.

And this is the first Spokesbaby with down syndrome?

Think about how truly big of a milestone this is for the special needs community.

Every day, every week - we truly get closer to social equality.

I am so so proud of Gerber and their decision to make Lucas their 2018 Spokesbaby. I'm proud to write about a company who has chosen to take the stand that every baby is a Gerber baby, not just those without special needs.

As Lucas' mom said,

We hope this opportunity sheds light on the special needs community and educates people that with acceptance and support, individuals with special needs have the potential to change the world -- Just like our Lucas!

I mean seriously, look at that grin! How could you not pick him?

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Student Life

13 Things College Kids Do That They Know They Shouldn't

Sometimes these things are both necessary and inevitable.

Christopher Newport University

28315

College is filled with many things, and we're so often lectured to make the right decisions as we head out on our own into the college life. But sometimes it's necessary to indulge in some guilty pleasures as well as just doing things because you can. And honestly, a lot of the time it's inevitable. College is no piece of cake that's for sure, so it's okay to do some things you deep down know you shouldn't....once in a while anyways.

Keep Reading...Show less

college life

Student Life

10 Things to avoid your freshman year of college

Having this list as you enter college will be extremely valuable and beneficial to experiencing the best year of your life!

University of Kentucky

1435

Madison Morgan

Ahhh good ol' freshman year. The best times and the worst times. Going to college six hours from home was the best decision I had ever made for myself, but the transition would have been much smoother had I known the things I know now. You cannot take on this beast by yourself, so allow me to lend a hand and guide you through one of the most exciting and different years of your life thus far. I have compiled a list of 10 key things to avoid your freshman year of college in order to ensure a smooth, happy, and fun first year!

Keep Reading...Show less

freshman year

Student Life

13 Thoughts Everyone Has During Lecture

Chances are, they have nothing to do with what you're actually supposed to be learning.

Campbell University

Polish Magazine

Let's face it. We've all had those days when it's almost impossible to stay awake or focus during lecture. We often find ourselves dozing off or just staring out into space when we really should be paying attention to what's going on in class. Regardless of whether or not you admit this happens, here are 13 thoughts every student has during lecture:

Keep Reading...Show less

lecture

Entertainment

A Deep Dive Into Taylor Swift’s Albums: 1989 (Taylor’s Version) Edition

I just know that the idea of releasing vault tracks came out of the moment Taylor remembered she wrote 'Is It Over Now?'

University of Washington

124

A Deep Dive Into Taylor Swift’s Albums: 1989 (Taylor’s Version) Edition

Edited by Hailey Hastings

I am fully emersed into diving deep into every single Taylor Swift album, which I do on my own all the time, but wanted to do it in a way where I am sharing what a special discography she has. I feel like 1989 is the perfect place to start, it's an era that changed everything, and will always be an album people automatically think of when you say "Taylor Swift."

Keep Reading...Show less

taylor swift

Entertainment

The 21 Different Friends You'll Meet In Life

Personalities that keep it interesting.

College of Mount St. Vincent

4269

Here you will find a list of many of the people you will come across in your life, and if you're lucky, you'll be able to give a name to all these characters that you hopefully see day to day. Don't take these friends for granted because they all add a little something to your life, and if you can't name all of them to your personal friends, chances are it might be you...

Keep Reading...Show less

friends

Recommended for you

Gerber's New Spokesbaby Is Tackling Down Syndrome One Smile At A Time

I mean seriously, look at that grin! How could you not pick him?

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Sometimes these things are both necessary and inevitable.

1. Spending their money - when they actually don't have any.

2. Take naps. Lots of naps.

3. Staying up late binge-watching a Netflix show when you have an early class.

4. Skip a class to do something completely unnecessary.

5. Putting all your homework off for the night before it's due just so you can do nothing for a night.

6. Going out on a Thursday night when you have a test the next day.

7. Making impulsive decisions.

8. Write an important paper in one night.

9. Classifying Ramen as your main food group.

10. Going on late night food runs - and I mean really late.

11. Having more than 3 cups of coffee a day.

12. Doing really dumb, irresponsible things when out with your friends.

13. Finishing an entire show on Netflix in less than a week.

Having this list as you enter college will be extremely valuable and beneficial to experiencing the best year of your life!

1. Chad from Sigma Why

2. Accepting questionable solo cups from any male whatsoever

3. Wasting all your dining dollars within the first two months of school

4. Going to the busiest library when you need to grind out a 15 page paper

5. Skipping class frequently

6. Avoiding taking the bus. You are never too cool to utilize campus transportation.

7. Stressing over assignment after assignment

8. Sitting in your dorm when everyone else is out having fun

9. Staying in your comfort zone

10. Being a douche to everyone

Chances are, they have nothing to do with what you're actually supposed to be learning.

1. "I'm Tired."

2. "How many absences do I have left?"

3. "Did we have any homework?"

4. "Why is it so cold in here?"

5. "I'm hungry."

6. "What grade do I need to make on the final to get an A?"

7. "What time is it?"

8. "I want Starbucks."

9. "How is this going to help me in the future?"

10. "Will anyone notice if I leave early?"

11. "I really need to go to the bathroom."

12. "This class is so boring."

13. "I can't wait to take a nap after this."

I just know that the idea of releasing vault tracks came out of the moment Taylor remembered she wrote 'Is It Over Now?'

Welcome To New York

Blank Space

Style

Out of the Woods

All You Had To Do Was Stay

Shake It Off

I Wish You Would

Taylor Swift - Bad Blood (Taylor&#39;s Version) (Lyric Video)

Wildest Dreams

How You Get The Girl

This Love

I Know Places

Clean

Wonderland

You Are In Love

New Romantics

Slut!

Say Don't Go

Now That We Don't Talk

Suburban Legends

Is It Over Now?

Personalities that keep it interesting.

The Brutally Honest Friend:

The Pretty One:

The Smart One:

The Athlete:

The Patriotic Friend:

The Singer:

The Dancer:

The Dramatic One:

The Gossip Girl:

The Party Animal:

The Drinker:

The Quiet One:

The Mom

The Snap Chatter

Subscribe to our
Newsletter

Taylor Swift - Bad Blood (Taylor's Version) (Lyric Video)